** The importance of the ratification of international agreements for the Democratic Republic of Congo: reflections on the discourse of the Minister of Foreign Trade **
On May 27, 2025, during a joint press conference with his communication and media counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku, explained the crucial issues that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had to take into account to modernize his foreign trade. His speech is part of a context where the country seeks to reposition itself on the international scene, through the ratification of important agreements which he has so far neglected.
### The need for international agreements
At the heart of the intervention of Julien Paluku is the agreement on the facilitation of exchanges, a promising initiative within the World Trade Organization (WTO) which aims to simplify and harmonize customs procedures. By stressing the importance of this agreement, Mr. Paluku highlighted the historic delay of the DRC in this area, a delay which can no longer be ignored. Indeed, the lack of ratification of this agreement limits support and training opportunities offered by the WTO to Congolese economic operators, who must adapt to international standards in order to remain competitive. This is particularly relevant for sectors like agriculture, where the DRC aspires to respond to external requests, such as the sale of soybeans to China.
### The challenges to be met
** Taxation: ** The Minister also mentioned a major challenge: the weight of taxes and taxes that weighs on companies in the DRC. He recalled that instructions were given to the president to re -examine the tax nomenclature. This initiative is crucial, because a more favorable tax framework could encourage more economic operators to invest in the country.
** Infrastructure: ** Another point underlined by Mr. Paluku concerns the state of infrastructure. If the DRC has extraordinary agricultural potential, the ability to evacuate products to the markets is essential. The Master Plan of the Industrialization mentioned seems to be a step in the right direction, but it should be wondered whether the necessary resources will be implemented adequately and in due course to meet the expectations of producers.
** Security: ** The last challenge mentioned, not the least, is security, particularly in the east of the country. The Minister has raised concerns about the impact of instability in the attractiveness of investments. He described how negative narratives around security affect the international perception of the DRC, which deserves special attention. Indeed, developing a positive image of the country in the context of tourism and business is essential to attract investors, and this involves the management of internal conflicts and the improvement of security.
### to an integrated vision
The Minister’s argument underlines an understanding of the complex links between trade, taxation, infrastructure, and security. However, the implementation of these ideas requires a concerted and integrated approach, which takes into account local specificities and current economic realities.
The ratification of the WTO agreements could serve as a catalyst for a broader dialogue between the various economic and political actors of the country. However, this calls for a sincere and lasting commitment to the Congolese government towards the necessary reforms to support these ambitions.
### Conclusion
Finally, Julien Paluku’s statement offers an overview encouraging the possibilities available to the DRC if the identified challenges are discussed proactively. The ratification of these agreements could potentially open the way to a new era of economic development, provided that concrete measures are taken to improve taxation, infrastructure, and security. This road to modernization and prosperity is strewn with pitfalls, but it is also punctuated by opportunities, which the DRC must seize to guarantee a better future for its citizens.